According to the Belfast Telegraph, Graeme McDowell is certain that, after representing Ireland at the World Cup of Golf this week, he will also represent the Emerald Isle at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Given his close friendship with phenom Rory McIlroy, McDowell's decision could strongly influence which team McIlroy represents at the Olympics:

"I believe that me being here and representing Ireland will, with the Olympic regulations, mean that I will have to play for Ireland when it comes to the Olympics in 2016.

"It is a very touchy political and religious subject, one that myself and Rory have not really enjoyed answering questions about the last few years because it is very difficult to pick a side because you are going to end up upsetting someone from either side.

"We grew up wanting to wear the green jacket and have the golf bag with the Ireland logo on it.

"The Golf Union of Ireland looks after all the players in Ireland and I have always enjoyed being part of that.

"When it comes to the Olympic discussion, that raises some questions as to who we play for.

"I was always very much trying to sit on the fence, again, because I really did not want to have to make that decision, so part of me feels relieved to not have to make that decision."

Of course McIlroy has to rediscover his game — and perhaps his old golf equipment — in order to be ranked high enough to play for either the Irish Olympic team or the Great Britain team in 2016. He has two-and-a-half years to go to get the job done.

As for McDowell, if he doesn't make the team, it will be a tremendous surprise.